Diospyros

Harry watched curiously through the window as he, his brother and their parents took the Muggle subway. There were many strange houses and buildings, some with consistent colors and others confused by time or incongruity, and it was possible to see the river for an incredibly short time in the distance. Trees were seen from time to time, either singly or in groups, scattered all the way between London and Little Whinging.

His mother had said around the beginning of the summer that they would meet her sister, Petunia, sometime in July. Adrien looked confused, James looked resigned, and Harry was curious. He had never met his mother's Muggle relatives.

Aunt Petunia turned out to be an abnormally large and thin woman, who greeted them with a difficult expression as soon as they knocked on her door at 4 Privet Drive. She was blonde and had blue eyes, an odd combination next to Lily's redhead and green eyes.

Uncle Vernon Dursley, Aunt Petunia's husband, was an inverse proportion to his wife: a man of medium to short height, incredibly corpulent and with brown hair and dark eyes. His expression when he saw the Potter Family entering his house was much simpler than Aunt Petunia's expression, but it was an incongruous mixture of fear, caution and a kind of anger-disgust.

Dudley Dursley, the twins' cousin, was a boy so fat that he could compete directly with Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy's minions. He had abnormally straight blond hair, although less plastic than Draco. He had the same blue eyes as Aunt Petunia, although those sparkled with curiosity and intrigue, and perhaps a little anxiety as well. They were very interesting eyes.

Dinner was certainly the highlight of Harry's night.

— Excuse me, but what do you actually work with, Uncle Vernon?

— Drills – The man half grunted, but it didn't matter. – I'm an administrator at a drill company.

— But what do you do exactly? – Harry asked, curious.

Vernon didn't share the same mood as the boy, but replied:

— I supervise the production of drills. I am responsible for adjusting production according to the customer's needs and dispatching for delivery. – He certainly seemed to be answering a text that had already been repeated several times.

— And how did you become administrative? – the boy asked again. – Were you nominated by someone or asked for the position?

— Grunnings doesn't work like that – There was a tone of harshness contained with coldness. – I started at the bottom, as an electronics technician, and then I was promoted to sector supervisor. I specialized in administration and got the position of supervisor when my predecessor became a director and I became a director when he retired and was nominated for selection by the shareholder committee.

— Wow – Harry was honestly amazed. His uncle was certainly a hardworking man if he could think of one.

The dessert was a strange three-layer jelly of various flavors and pieces of fruit inside. Dudley and Adrien repeated it at least three times, drawing a few smiles from Aunt Petunia and Lily. Harry would certainly prefer not to have a stomach bug afterwards, so just one piece was satisfactory, thank you very much.

It was when the boys went up to Dudley's room to talk to each other that things got interesting: as soon as they opened the bedroom door, they found a particularly disheveled house elf jumping foolishly on Dudley's bed. Harry was quick to cover the boy's mouth before he let out a scream.

— What's your name? – Harry asked the elf.

— Dobby, sir – the creature squeaked. – Dobby, the house elf.

— Dobby – He nodded. – Not that I'm not happy to meet you, but, um, is there any special reason for you to be here?

— Oh, of course, my lord – said Dobby very seriously. – Dobby came to say, my lord... it's difficult, my lord... Dobby wonders where to start...

Dudley and Adrien were very quiet as they watched the creature, the Muggle boy obviously being curious enough to stifle his nervousness.

— Sit down – Adrien said gently, taking the initiative as he pointed to the bed.

To his horror, the elf burst into tears – a very loud cry.

— S-sit down! – He cried. – Never... never in my life...

Harry thought he heard the voices downstairs hesitate.

— Calm down, Dobby – he asked desperately.

The elf took a deep sniff.

— Dobby has never been invited to sit by a wizard... as an equal...

Trying to comfort the elf and make him shut up, Harry sat Dobby on the bed to calm down, ignoring Dudley's complaining grumble. He looked like an enormous, ugly doll. It took a long time before he managed to calm down.

— Adrien Potter can't go to Hogwarts! – the elf squeaked.

— What? – Adrien seemed intrigued. – Why?

— There is a plot, Adrien Potter. A plot to make terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year – whispered Dobby, suddenly shaken. – Dobby has known this for months, my lord. Adrien Potter must not expose himself to danger. He is too important, my lord!

— What terrible things? – asked Harry at the same time. – Who is planning these things?

Dobby made a funny choking noise and then banged his head against the wall in a frenzy. Dudley jumped in fright, screaming.

— Okay! – Harry exclaimed, grabbing the elf's arm to make him stop. – You can't tell us. I understand. But why are you warning us? – A sudden and unpleasant thought occurred to him. – Wait a minute, this has nothing to do with Vol... sorry... with You-Know-Who, does it? You just have to say yes or no with your head – he added quickly when Dobby's head tilted worryingly towards the wall again.

— No... not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, my lord.

But Dobby's eyes widened and he seemed to be trying to give the boy an indication. But Harry, however, didn't understand anything.

Dobby shook his head, his eyes wider than ever.

Before Harry could ask anything else, the bedroom door was suddenly opened, and a very distraught Petunia Dursley rushed in.

— Dudley! My baby, are you okay? – She screamed, running straight to her son, who was sitting on the floor again next to Adrien.

Lily, James and Vernon followed Petunia into the room, each looking for something unusual – within their normal range.

— What happened? We heard Dudley scream from downstairs – James asked, looking seriously at his children (more specifically at Adrien).

— Nothing, he got scared because Dobby... Dobby? – Harry blinked at the empty space he was holding, where the house elf's thin arm had been.

— I think you'd better leave now – Petunia commented, a little shakily, a contained anger burning the edges of her words.

Lily stuttered, but lowered her head to her sister, nodding. The twins didn't have a chance to say anything, they just followed their mother's call and waved to a confused Dudley, who was in his mother's arms. Lily seemed to be holding herself back the entire way back to Devon.

***

The summer was certainly boring, even though Harry escaped the punishment that his mother almost put on him and his brother after the incident with Dobby. His father, fortunately, managed to convince her not to punish them because of an erratic elf.

Seeing Adrien being secretly stalked by the Weasley girl certainly lost its appeal sooner than it should have – although, if he was being honest, the real fun was how they were both really bad at pretending they weren't noticing each other. The forced degnomization that their mother used instead of punishment wasn't very good for humor either.

In the middle of August, arriving very late, letters from the second year of Hogwarts arrived announcing the necessary materials. Gilderoy Lockhart's complete collection of books certainly didn't seem like good support material (apart from the “footrest” category).

The highlight of going to Diagon Alley was certainly going to look for Adrien, who got lost after stuttering “D-D-Diagon Alley”. He may have tried to get his parents to take him to Knockturn Alley, but he was really surprised when Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, appeared with Adrien on his tail and saying he was in Knockturn Alley. Lily certainly said a few things to her twin after seeing if everything was okay. James and Mr. Weasley, who was with his and Hermione Granger's family shopping in the Alley, certainly didn't help when they questioned what he saw Lucius Malfoy doing at Borgin & Burkes in the Knockturn.

The next hour was idle wandering; Hermione's parents tolerated an awkward interrogation from Mr. Weasley as they went to the bank to exchange money, while James and Lily said they would quickly leave to get Sirius and Remus. Harry didn't think it was very smart to let the children roam freely, but he didn't deny a walk to the ice cream shop to get a strawberry and peanut butter cone. The twins had gotten lost in a game store with Lee Jordan, while Percy went to an antique shop to read a strange book. Adrien, Ron and Hermione were going from store to store to see what was interesting, although they spent a lot of time looking at the Quidditch supply store.

As soon as everyone gathered again in front of Flourish and Blotts, an astonishingly long line wrapped around the corner of the store. Most were ladies around Mrs. Weasley's age, who were jostling together near the store's entrance, excited. The reason was obvious:

GILDEROY LOCKHART

autograph his autobiography

Magical Me

today from 12:30 to 16:30

— Let’s get to meet him! – shouted Hermione shrill. – I mean, he's the author of almost our entire book list!

A confused-looking wizard was standing at the door, saying:

— Calm down, please, ladies... Don't push, that... be careful with the books, now...

The children squeezed through the line of ladies and entered the store, encountering another line that snaked its way to the back of the store, where Gilderoy Lockhart was smiling at each person who approached. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already there, Mrs. Weasley side by side with Ginny in the line of ladies.

— Ah, they arrived, how good! – said Mrs. Weasley. She seemed to be panting and kept fixing her hair. – We'll see him in a minute...

Harry slipped smoothly upstairs into the store, escaping the commotion. Mrs. Weasley certainly didn't notice, being too busy admiring Lockhart, who rose from his seat to greet everyone. Looking closely, he didn't seem as interesting as the news suggested. Not very impressive either, if Harry was honest with what he saw.

MacDougal was there, to his positive surprise, rummaging through the books aimlessly.

— Hello, Morag – Harry greeted him, startling the boy.

— Oh, hello, Harry – he greeted back. – Purchasing the materials?

— More to see Lockhart – Harry shook his head off the floor. – I came with my brother, Granger and the Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley is in line, waiting to see Lockhart.

— And your parents? Didn't they come?

— They went to get my uncles. Apparently they were also coming to the Alley, but I don't know why they're taking so long.

The noise on the first floor has certainly increased, accompanied by many clicks from the old-fashioned cameras of what is probably the Daily Prophet reporter.

— What did you think of the books? – Morag asked. – My parents complained about the price, but they are excited to be using Lockhart’s stuff.

— Ultimately, we will have footrests literally at hand all the time.

Morag's snort brought him a bit of recent nostalgia. The next few minutes were comfortable, yet silent, as the two boys looked at books that caught their attention. Of course, someone had to ruin the moment.

— Potter — Malfoy sneered, very little like a greeting. – You got tired of your brother’s show and came to hide among the books, huh?

— Malfoy – Harry greeted him, unimpressed. – Whatever Adrien did, I didn’t see, I didn’t hear and I’m not responsible for anything.

Malfoy mocked him.

— Doesn't the first page appeal to you, Potter? Want something bigger than your brother has, huh?

Harry wasn't going to mention this to anyone, but he found it a bit... sad.

— Calm down, Draco — A slurred voice came up the stairs, behind Draco. – Be careful in public.

A tall, blond man, an angular face with blue-gray eyes and an elegant build appeared behind Draco, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. It was obvious who he was.

— Lucius Malfoy – The man introduced himself, extending his hand to Harry. – It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter. I must tell you that you are someone I was curious to meet.

— Mr. Malfoy — Harry shook his hand, nodding. – Draco told me a lot about you.

— I imagine — his cheeks twitched momentarily. He spotted Morag next to Harry. – And you, would you be...?

— MacDougal, Morag MacDougal, Mr. Malfoy – Morag introduced himself nervously, staring distantly at the blonde man. None of them reached out.

—MacDougal? As in Hendric MacDougal? – Mr. Malfoy questioned, observing the boy.

— Yes, sir. He is my father.

— I didn't remember that Hendric had gotten married — The blond man drawled. – Did your mother go to Hogwarts, Mr. MacDougal?

Morag's discomfort was really noticeable, but he was saved from having to respond by a sudden interruption:

—Harry! – called Mr. Weasley, who was climbing the stairs with the twins and Ginny in pursuit. – Come on, it’s getting really crowded here, let’s go outside.

— Well, well, well, Arthur Weasley.

— Lucius – said Mr. Weasley, giving a cool nod to Mr. Malfoy.

— Lots of work at the Ministry, I hear — said Mr. Malfoy. – All those blitzes... I hope they're paying you overtime!

He reached into Ginny's cauldron and pulled out, from among Lockhart's glossy-bound books, a very old and battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.

— Obviously not — concluded Mr. Malfoy. – Now look, what's the point of being a disgraceful wizard if you don't even get paid well for it?

Mr. Weasley blushed more intensely than Harry had ever seen Ginny or Ron blush.

— We have very different ideas about what it means to be a disgraceful wizard, Malfoy.

— Visibly – said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes flicking to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who watched apprehensively from the bottom of the stairs. – The people you hang out with, Weasley... and I thought your family had already hit rock bottom...

There was a metallic clang as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him against a shelf.

Dozens of spelling books crashed onto his head; a shout was heard “Get him, dad” – given by Fred and George; Mrs. Weasley shouted “No, Arthur, no”, and ran towards the Grangers; the crowd erupted, retreating and knocking over more shelves. Harry saw his brother, Ron and Hermione look scared near Mrs. Weasley.

— Gentlemen, please, please! – asked the assistant, and then, louder than the prevailing racket. – Let's stop it, gentlemen, let's stop it...

Tired, Harry climbed the bookshelf ladder and pulled all the books from a shelf above Lucius and Arthur, who suddenly found themselves buried in encyclopedias.

— I ask that you can control yourself – Harry asked, going down the stairs and watching the two wizards emerge from under the books, dazedly. – And, please, put them back on the shelf.

Lucius got up from the floor, pulling his rumpled cloak over him and running a hand to straighten his hair. The only injury he had was a cut lip, facing Mr. Weasley's injured eye. He was still holding Ginny's old book on transfiguration. He threw it at her, his eyes shining with malice.

— Here, take your book, it's the best your father can give you...

He pretended well that he was intact, but Harry noticed a slight unevenness in Mr. Malfoy's gait, and Harry decided not to comment on what he saw. Draco nervously followed his father, giving Mr. Weasley a vicious, wary look.

— A great example for your children... – Mrs. Weasley grumbled, helping Mr. Weasley to get up. –, fight it out in public… what Gilderoy Lockhart must have thought…

Chaos was still raging around the place, but Harry was sure he heard Lockhart asking the Daily Prophet cameraman if they could attach footage of the fight to tomorrow's story.

The shop assistant tried to approach, a belatedly furious expression on his previously cowardly nervous face, but stopped again, cowering as Mrs. Weasley's fury grew by the moment.

— Let's go – Mr. Weasley murmured. – We're done here...

— Mr. Weasley.

— Yes, Harry?

— Books on the shelf, please.